Wichita police are seeing a slight drop in the number of guns stolen from cars compared to this time last year.

There have been about 120 thefts so far, which Lt. Scott Brunow says is still 120 too many. There has been speculation that these thefts are happening because people are being forced to leave their guns in their cars when entering some buildings. Brunow shared information that suggests most thefts are happening at homes during overnight hours.

Several stolen guns have been used in crimes, including two against law enforcement.

If you must leave a gun in your vehicles, you’re urged to invest in some kind of locking car safe.

Lt. Brunow shared several graphs that show when and were thefts are happening.

Wichita Auto Larceny update: Aug 1-15, 254 cars fell victim. Popular items taken:
Guns 6
License Plates 56
Wallets/purses 48
Tools 26
Bags 25
Car Parts 24
Computers 8
Cellphones 8
Tablets 6
Handicap Placard 4
Beard trimmer 1
Hard hat 1
Athletic bra 1 pic.twitter.com/kUxXaBtIMK

— Lt.Scott Brunow (@AutoTheftWPD) August 19, 2019

Good question: Are guns stolen from cars a result of people leaving them in cars when entering businesses that don’t allow guns? Here’s a ytd graph showing the majority are stolen between midnight and 5am. I’d say those are guns left in cars overnight. pic.twitter.com/oTaN3X5g4K

— Lt.Scott Brunow (@AutoTheftWPD) August 20, 2019

Here’s a map of guns stolen from cars YTD in Wichita https://t.co/rUvt3InrHQ pic.twitter.com/HMjTjJdXwi

— Lt.Scott Brunow (@AutoTheftWPD) August 20, 2019